Tool having an adjustable curved working surface and a method for using the tool

Abstract

A tool for supporting an abrasive material is disclosed. The tool may be used to abrade a surface, for example, for sanding. The tool includes a flexible base plate, a base plate curvature-adjusting device, a resilient pad with recesses, and clamps for mounting an abrasive sheet material upon the pad. The curvature-adjusting device includes a rotatable handle that engages the ends of the base plate and deflects the base plate to a desired curvature. The recesses in the pad retain abraded material and minimize build up of the abraded material on the abrasive sheet. Aspects of the invention may be used to abrade, for example, sand, any surface requiring material removal, for example, sheet rock or automobile body panels. A tool for spreading a material, such as an adhesive, on a surface is also disclosed; the curvature of the working surface of this tool may also be adjustable.

1. A tool for supporting an abrasive material, the tool comprising:
 a flexible base plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, and a second end; 
 a handle mounted between the first end and the second end, the handle comprising an adjustable connecting means adapted to deflect at least one of the first end and the second end of the flexible base plate to thereby vary the curvature of the lower surface of the flexible base plate; 
 a pad mounted to the lower surface of the base plate, the pad comprising a surface having at least some recesses; and 
 means for mounting an abrasive sheet material upon the surface of the pad. 
 
   
   
     2. The tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pad comprises a resilient pad. 
   
   
     3. The tool as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first bracket mounted proximate the first end; and 
 a second bracket mounted proximate the second end; 
 wherein the adjustable connecting means engages the first bracket and the second bracket. 
 
   
   
     4. The tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable connecting means comprises a rotatable cylindrical body having a first end and a second end and at least one first rod extending from the first end of the cylindrical body to a first bracket mounted proximate the first end. 
   
   
     5. The tool as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the adjustable connecting means further comprises a second rod extending from the second end of the handle to the second bracket. 
   
   
     6. The tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a single-hand hand tool. 
   
   
     7. The tool as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the rotatable, cylindrical body comprises a single rotatable cylindrical handle. 
   
   
     8. The tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least some recesses comprises a regular pattern of recesses. 
   
   
     9. The tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least some recesses comprises a plurality elongated recesses. 
   
   
     10. A method of abrading a surface using a tool comprising:
 a pad having an surface having a plurality of recesses; 
 means for varying the curvature of the surface of the pad; and 
 a perforated abrasive sheet material mounted upon the pad; 
 the method comprising:
 adjusting the curvature of the surface to a desired curvature; 
 passing the perforated abrasive sheet material across the surface wherein abraded surface material is produced; 
 allowing the abraded surface material to pass through the perforations of the perforated abrasive sheet material; and 
 collecting at least some of the abraded surface material in at least some of the plurality of recesses in the pad to minimize the build-up of abraded surface material on the surface of the perforated abrasive sheet material. 
 
 
   
   
     11. The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of recesses comprises a plurality of elongated recesses, and wherein the method further comprises discharging the abraded surface material from the plurality of elongated recesses. 
   
   
     12. A hand tool for supporting an abrasive material, the hand tool comprising:
 a flexible base having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, and a second end; 
 a rotatable cylindrical handle having a first end and a second end, the handle comprising an adjustable connecting means mounted between the first end and the second end, the adjustable connecting means adapted to deflect the first end and the second end of the flexible base wherein the curvature of the lower surface of the flexible base is varied; 
 a resilient pad mounted to the lower face of the flexible base, the resilient pad having a plurality of elongated recesses; and 
 a first clamp mounted proximate the first end and a second clamp mounted proximate the second end, the first clamp and the second clamp adapted to retain a perforated abrasive sheet material upon the resilient pad. 
 
   
   
     13. The hand tool as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising a first bracket mounted proximate the first end; and a second bracket mounted proximate the second end; and wherein the adjustable connecting means further comprises at least one first rod extending from the first end of the handle to the first bracket. 
   
   
     14. The hand tool as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the adjustable connecting means further comprises a second rod extending from the second end of the handle to the second bracket. 
   
   
     15. The tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable connecting means is adapted to deflect the first end and the second end of the flexible base plate. 
   
   
     16. The tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the curvature comprises one of a concave curvature and a convex curvature. 
   
   
     17. The tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the curvature comprises a radius of curvature of about 3 inches to about 6 feet. 
   
   
     18. The method of  claim 10 , wherein adjusting the curvature of the surface to a desired curvature comprises adjusting the curvature of the surface to one of a convex and a concave curvature. 
   
   
     19. The hand tool as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the adjustable connecting means is adapted to deflect the first end and the second end of the flexible base wherein the curvature of the lower surface of the flexible base is one of concave and convex. 
   
   
     20. A tool for supporting an abrasive material, the tool comprising:
 a flexible base plate having an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end, and a second end; 
 a handle mounted between the first end and the second end, the handle comprising an adjustable connecting means adapted to deflect at least one of the first end and the second end of the flexible base plate to thereby vary the curvature of the lower surface of the flexible base plate; 
 a pad mounted to the lower surface of the base plate; and 
 means for mounting an abrasive sheet material upon the surface of the pad; 
 wherein the adjustable connecting means comprises a single rotatable cylindrical handle having a first end and a second end and at least one first rod extending from the first end of the cylindrical handle to a first bracket mounted proximate the first end. 
 
   
   
     21. The tool as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the pad comprises a surface having at least some recesses.